Tyler Perry made headlines during the 2025 BET Awards with a powerful speech that subtly critiqued Hollywood studios. Before the talented Ledisi took the stage to deliver her performance of "BLKWMN," Perry shared a heartfelt anecdote about a memorable walk on the beach with his son. During this poignant moment, his son remarked, “I’m walking in your footsteps.” Perry responded with wisdom, saying, “No, let’s walk together.” This moment emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared journeys.
As he continued his address, Perry urged the audience to pay attention to significant issues affecting the community. “I say that to you tonight because I wanna talk to you about this thing that is happening in this country,” he stated with conviction. He highlighted the alarming trend of removing books from libraries, erasing stories and history, and even stripping names from government buildings. “It’s as if someone wants to erase our footprints,” he lamented, drawing attention to the broader implications of these actions.
Perry emphasized the resilience of the Black community: “But the truth of the matter, it’s impossible to erase our footprints because we left them on water.” He elaborated on the historical journey of African Americans, noting, “We were snatched from our homeland, brought across the ocean and left footprints all the way to America.” His message was clear: now is not the time for silence or surrender; instead, it is a moment to dig deep and continue to “keep leaving footprints everywhere you go.”
In a bold statement that resonated with the audience, Perry turned his attention to Hollywood studios, declaring, “I can tell you this, I have made more Black billionaires, hear me when I say this, than any studio in this city combined.” This assertion highlighted his commitment to empowering others and creating opportunities within the industry. He encouraged those facing challenges to continue pursuing their dreams: “So I don’t care if you’re struggling, if you’re trying to make it, you’re trying to build a business, if you have a dream, keep making footprints. Don’t let anybody stop you, you can do it.”
Earlier in his speech, Perry took a moment to express gratitude towards Black women for their unwavering support throughout his career. “I think about my incredible audience who’s a lot of men, a lot of women, but hear me when I tell you this, Black women have held me down and I appreciate you like you would not believe,” he remarked, recognizing their vital role in his success.
As the awards night progressed, Kendrick Lamar led the nominations with an impressive total of ten nods, followed closely by Doechii, Future, GloRilla, and Drake, each receiving six nominations. The evening was filled with performances from notable artists, including Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas, making it a memorable celebration of Black excellence in the entertainment industry.
